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Sapporo Ichiban – Best kept secret sushi buffet

Catford has it’s best-kept secret, it’s rare for me to venture out to the South West of London. Sapporo Ichiban is at a random spot near the back streets of Catford Centre. Don’t be discouraged by the shop front beyond the glass doors there’s a gigantic fish pond with enormous gold fishes. To the right is the open kitchen and bar where you can watch the chef slice sashimi and cook the hot food. Restaurant staff wears traditional Japanese kimonos and hakamas, the times I went they have been polite but tend to forget things you ask them for.

If you seat yourself by the back you get to sit in those Japanese low style tables. It’s almost like you have to kneel to sit, but your legs get tucked away in the hidden holes. The owner is a lovely lady who I see almost all the time when I visit Sapporo Ichiban. She often visits Japan to reinvent her menu and learn new techniques to prettified the sushi.

The main reason for me constantly revisiting Sapporo is the great value sushi buffet menu for under £20. There’s a comprehensive selection on offer, plenty of assortment hot food, fresh sushi, curries and even some Chinese stuff like roast duck and rolls.

My personal favourites I find myself constantly re-ordering, the prawn tempura, deep-fried tofu steak soaked in teriyaki sauce, slices of breaded tonkatsu, crispy fried chicken karaage. I’m always with my gangs of friends here wolfing down the buffet menu. Although it’s not mind-blowing amazing it’s enough to satisfy the belly, and keeping you full. If you are in the neighborhood and have a bunch of friends to go with, you should definitely check out Sapporo Ichiban.